We knew we were going to be waking up early today (we were off to the Everglades, and my Mum was ringing at 8.30am) - but it was still a surprise for Nikki to answer the phone at 7.40am, half asleep... to her Dad!
Apparently, everything is ok back home. Nikki spoke to her Dad, Mum and Katie - so that was a nice way to start the day.
After breakfast, we all piled into the car and set off for Everglades Safari Park where we were planning to go on an airboat ride, through the swamp, and hopefully... see some gators!
The girls didn't believe us, but me and Keith knew exactly what we were doing when we went too far along the Florida Turnpike and had to turn back through suburbia. They should be thanking us for the excursion!
We got to the park and after a couple of minutes boarded the airboat that was going to take us out. We were out for about 20 minutes, when we came across a 'Gator Hole' so our guide stopped for us to take some pictures. We saw a few small gators and when he tried to restart the engines, they wouldn't start!
So there we were, sat in an airboat that wouldn't move, a few meters from some long grass where a 10ft gator called 'The Monster' lived... waiting for help. The thing was - we were just out of signal range. He tried to move us on one engine and luckily radioed someone who came straight out.
Safely in the new boat, we made our way back and saw some really cool wildlife and some mean looking gators - all within a few feet!
Back at the park, we were given a talk on alligators and crocodiles and then me, Keith and Emma got to hold a seven-year-old one called Snappy... brilliant!
Tonight, we decided that we'd have another picnic in the garden. When it started getting dark we made my Mum and Keith get into the hammock. Once safely aboard I gave them a 'gentle' rock... until they fell out - ooopps!
Thank goodness for that rescue boat - we didn't fancy swimming back!
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